Apparatus for operating the check-rein of harness



(No ModeL') R. A. BALDWIN.

APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE CHECK REIN 0P HARNESS.

Patented Nov. 2 1886.

Fly. 1,

u, PETERS, Phnlo Li|hngn|phan Wuhingtolm n. c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROLLINALGER BALDWIN, or MANCHESTER, new HAMPSHIRE.

APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE CHECK-REIN F HARNESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 351,846, dated November 2, 1886.

Application filed March 24, 1886. Serial No. IQGAQG. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROLLIN ALGER BALD- WIN, of Manchester, in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Operating the Cheek-Rein of a Harness, of which the following is a specification. 7

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by means of which a person sitting in a carriage may loosen the check-rein so that the horse may have the free use of his head, and again tighten the same and fasten it at any desired point. p

The invention consists of a cylindrical case of metal or any suitable material, in the interior of which turns freely aspool-shaped piece which is rotated by the reaction of a coiled spring within in such manner as to wind upon said spool a strong 'tape or cord which passes through a slot in the outer casing and is attached to the check-rein, a device for locking the inclosed spool at any desired point, consisting of a spring-pawl fastened to the inner side of the outer casing and adapted to enter slots cut transversly in the edges of the heads or ends of said spool, and=a device for operating the pawl from without.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicatelike parts, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same. Fig. 3 shows the part which forms the removable end and central portion of easing. Figs. 4 and 5 are longitudinal sections of the spool and outer casing, respectively.

In the drawings A is the outer case; B, the spool; G, the central portion, the enlarged or flanged end of which forms the end of the casing. 1

c is a screw, which firmly binds together the two parts of the outer casing.

c is a slotted projection for convenieneein regulating the tension of the coiled spring D, the inner end of which is fastened to C, and the outer end to the spool B.

E is the tape or cord, which has one end fastened to the spool and extends through the slot a in the outer casing, its outer end having some convenient means of attaching to the check-rein.

i is a small ring, the shank of which passes freely through the casing and is connectedwith the spring-pawl i. A; small cord or strap,

0, is connected with the ring h by a conven ient snap-hook. Said cord or strap 0 extends along the under side of one of the drivingreins, passing loosely through loops or eyes, for the purpose of holding it in place. It is thus always within reach of the drivers hand, and he may at any time draw the pawl from the slots in the edges of the spool ends. The horse is then free to bend down hishead, and in so doing unwinds the cord or tape E from the spool B, thus winding up the spring D.

When itis desired, the horses head may be drawn up by means of the driving-reins, and the reaction of the spring D will rewind the tape or cord upon the spool, and the pawl may be let into the slots of the spool ends at any desired point. The width of the pawl t is such that it enters the slots in both ends of the spool. Thus it is seen that the check-rein is controlled by the occupant of the carriage, and he may at any time check or uncheck his horse and fasten the check-rein at any desired point.

The shoulders or projections e and g of the part 0 form. bearings upon which the spool B rests and turns, and the downward projection f of the outer casing, A, affords a means of fastening the device to the saddle.

What I claim is 1. In a check-rein holder, the spool B, having its enlarged ends or heads slotted across their edges for the purpose of receiving a pawl as a means of locking said spool, which is actuated from within by a coiled spring and has wound upon its outer surface a convenient tape or cord, connected through an opening in the outer casing with the checkrein, all substantially as shown.

2. In a check-rein holder, the spring-pawl having a projection through the casing, to which may be eonnecteda strap or cord which extends within reach of the driver,preferably through loops. fastened to one of the drivingreins, for the purpose shown and described.

3. The combination of the spool B, having slots in the edges of its heads, and actuated by the coiled spring D, and provided with the tape or cord E, and the spring-pawl t, carrying the connecting-ring h, and provided with a means of operating the same from the seat of a carriage, all substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

Witnesses: ROLLIN AliGER BALDWIN.

LUTHER G. BALDWIN, J. O. LITTLEFIELI). I 

